Cutless rotary arc gap switch and dual triggering system

Abstract

A rotary arc gap (RAG) switch capable of handling large amounts of current flow is disclosed. The circular electrodes of the switch incorporate the use of a high-resistance material placed in a gap in the electrodes. The absence of an air gap in the electrodes reduces wear and broadening at the edges of the gap and thus improves the life span of the switch. Further disclosed is the use of a dual trigger mechanism that also improves the life span of the electrodes and the triggers.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A rotary arc gap switch, comprising: 
       a first circular electrode connectable to a power supply, wherein the first circular electrode is concentric about an axis that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the first circular electrode;  
       a second circular electrode connectable to a load, the first circular electrode being separated from the second electrode by a certain distance, wherein the second circular electrode is concentric about the axis that is perpendicular to the plane defined by the first circular electrode and perpendicular to a plane defined by the second circular electrode;  
       a first high-resistance material inserted into a first linear cut completely through the second circular electrode, wherein the first cut proceeds from a top to a bottom of the second circular electrode such that the first cut is parallel to the axis;  
       a first trigger installed at the second electrode at an angle with respect to the first high-resistance material; and  
       a second high-resistance material inserted into a second linear cut completely through the first circular electrode and displaced approximately 180° relative to the first high-resistance material, wherein the second cut proceeds from a top to a bottom of the first circular electrode such that the second cut is parallel to the axis.  
     
     
       2. The rotary arc gap switch of  claim 1 , wherein either the first or second high-resistance material comprises an alloy comprising iron and nickel or an alloy comprising iron and chromium. 
     
     
       3. The rotary arc gap switch of  claim 1 , further comprising a second trigger installed at the second electrode and displaced approximately 180° to the first trigger. 
     
     
       4. The rotary arc gap switch of  claim 3 , wherein either the first or second high-resistance material comprises an alloy comprising iron and nickel or an alloy comprising iron and chromium. 
     
     
       5. The rotary arc gap switch of  claim 1 , wherein the angle between the first high-resistance material and the first trigger is equal to or greater than 30°. 
     
     
       6. An electrode for a rotary arc gap switch, comprising a circular electrode concentric about an axis that is perpendicular to a plane defined by the circular electrode and containing a linear gap completely through the electrode and parallel to the axis, wherein the gap is filled with a high-resistance material. 
     
     
       7. The electrode of  claim 6 , wherein the high-resistance material comprises an alloy comprising iron and nickel or an alloy comprising iron and chromium. 
     
     
       8. The electrode of  claim 6 , further comprising a first trigger. 
     
     
       9. The electrode of  claim 8 , wherein an angle between the high-resistance material and the first trigger is equal to or greater than 30°. 
     
     
       10. The electrode of  claim 8 , wherein the first trigger comprises tungsten coated with teflon. 
     
     
       11. The electrode of  claim 8 , further comprising a second trigger. 
     
     
       12. The electrode of  claim 11 , wherein the second trigger is placed on the electrode at approximately a maximum distance from the first trigger.